The St. Mary’s County Commissioners convened in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday afternoon after spending the earlier part of the day participating in a Calvert Cliffs Evacuation Exercise Drill.
The Department of Land Use and Growth Management sought BOCC approval of proposed text amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance that would better accommodate the new, stricter state legislation on Forest Conservation. The board decided that a two-step process and ample public response was needed for the amendments to be approved.
Board members expressed their concerns about the big changes, with Commissioner Dement saying, “I think we should give people the opportunity to express their views on this.” Commissioner Mattingly explained that the County would be required to follow state mandates and quipped, “There’s a lot of things that go on in Annapolis that we don’t agree with but ultimately we’ll have to comply.”
LUGM also presented proposed text amendments on wineries in St. Mary’s County. Director Derick Berlage said he had worked with DECD Director Bob Schaller and the input of people in the delicate business of winemaking to create zoning ordinances that allow for wineries in over 80 percent of the county. Berlage told the board, “We’re hoping the limitations will ensure wineries in the RPD be of a fitting scale and size for the rural characteristics we’re trying to preserve.”
The amendment was approved on a 3 to 1 vote, after Raley excused himself from participation per the Commission on Ethics’ suggestion and Mattingly voted nay, expressing concerns about the lack of a requirement for the use of homegrown grapes and the annual galloon production limitations. Russell and Jarboe supported the amendment. Dement also had concerns but cast the winning yea.
The board proclaimed Oct. 18-24 Teen Driver Safety Week and praised the partnering organizations’ efforts to increase awareness about young driver safety initiatives with what Commissioner President Jack Russell called, “Truly a community effort.”
The commissioners congratulated their own Daniel H. Raley for his temporary appointment to the Southern Md. Agriculture Development Commission. Mattingly said, “No finer gentleman could be appointed to this commission” and complimented Raley’s efforts that brought new resources to the county.
Department of Public Works and Transportation Deputy Director John Groeger received the go- ahead to extend the permits for several housing developments by one year and the approval for a resolution to accept the Evergreen Elementary access road, Wildewood Parkway, into the highway maintenance system.
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